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Packers lineman Sherrod won’t play in 2012

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Any remaining hope that the Packers had of offensive tackle Derek Sherrod being able to play this season officially ended Wednesday.

A three-week window in which Sherrod was allowed to practice with the team expired, and Green Bay’s 2011 first-round pick had still not recovered from the broken leg he suffered Dec. 18 of last year.

Coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday that Sherrod was “not close enough” to getting medically cleared, which forced the Packers to keep him on the Reserve / Physically Unable to Perform list throughout the rest of this season.

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“I would say that if Derek Sherrod was close enough, we might have entertained the thought of taking the chance and bringing him along and putting him on the 53 (active roster),” McCarthy said.

Sherrod has had a couple setbacks during his recovery over the past year, the result of which has kept him from being able to play in a game.

“There were just points where we figured that some things were expected, and they just weren’t happening,” Sherrod said last week. “So it was just taking a little bit more time than was expected.”

Green Bay could certainly use Sherrod right now, with its offensive line giving up the second-most sacks of any NFL team this season. The protection problems in front of quarterback Aaron Rodgers became a more pressing issue after starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 12. with a hip injury.

“The sacks totals are too high,” McCarthy said Tuesday. “We’ve had some games where it’s gotten out of hand.”

But all Sherrod can do now is try to be ready for training camp in July.

“I’m just keeping my head up,” Sherrod said. “There’s nothing to be disappointed about. Obviously, I want to play. Whenever that it is, it is.”